AOL Music http://music.aol.com AOL Music http://music.aol.com/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Music http://music.aol.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Georgia On My Mindhttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/georgia-on-my-mind/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/georgia-on-my-mind/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/georgia-on-my-mind/#commentsFiled under:

Allison Hagendorf takes in seafood, sights and sounds with some of the biggest names in Atlanta's music scene.

When you think of Atlanta, hip-hop immediately comes to mind. In my case, grits also come to mind ... but mainly hip-hop. Atlanta is the "center of gravity" of hip-hop, Southern rap, R&B and neo-soul. Most music fans are all well aware that artists like Outkast, Ludacris, Goodie Mob/Cee Lo Green, Lil Jon, T.I. and B.o.B all hail from the ATL, but this southern sonic city is also a hotbed for rock, country and pop. The Black Crowes, Indigo Girls, Sugarland, Sevendust and even Justin Bieber call Atlanta home (well, the Canadian Biebs calls it his U.S. adoptive home -- close enough). I went to Atlanta to discover what it is about this peachy-keen city that makes it so keen on music ... and hopefully on puns as well.

My first stop was Fantasyland Records, an Atlanta music scene staple since 1976. Eric Clapton, the Ramones, and my personal favorite rock god of all time, Robert Plant, have all walked through its doors to shop for tunes. In addition to its legacy, Fantasyland is also known for selling new vinyl, another indicator of the record resurgence. I love that a new generation is actually purchasing record players so that they can experience music in a whole new way ... well, new for them anyway. I wonder if 8-tracks will be next. Nah, they won't.

Next, I met up with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose, who has been voted "No. 1 Metal Drummer" by Modern Drummer Magazine, and one of "The Top 100 Drummers Of All Time" according to Drum Magazine and Drummerworld. I also awarded him with picking the best lunch spot of all time, being that the seafood spot he selected, Steamhouse Lounge, boasts "We Shuck 'em, You Suck 'em." 'Nuff said. We talked about the rise and impact of Sevendust and how even the Atlanta rock community was grateful for artists like Outkast for helping to put Atlanta on the map. I explained to Morgan that I was grateful for Sevendust's angst anthems, which provided the soundtrack for my teenage years. Everyone here was grateful, except for the oysters.

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From Sevendust to Stankonia ... I headed to the studio complex where Outkast makes their magic. Big Boi told me that Atlanta's streets bring the edge to the current music scene and that a lot of new great music is coming out in the mix. Also in the mix, is his favorite fried chicken spot, Curly's, which I obviously had to try for myself. Per his suggestion, I enjoyed one of Curly's combo specials, complete with "Buddy's Secret Sauce" and "purple" Kool-Aid, and felt that between our studio hang and our dinner order, Big Boi and I had truly bonded. Unfortunately, due to this fried food feast, I had now become bonded with my chair and had to be jimmied out of it.

Keeping the grit of ATL going by eating grits, I met up with David Banner for breakfast the next morning at The Beautiful Restaurant, the soul food spot featured in the lyrics of Goodie Mob's song 'Soul Food.' David explained that Atlanta's signature sound is based on its soul and warmth. According to the rapper, you can feel it in the music and you can taste it in the food. I went ahead and tested that for myself. Confirmed.

112's Q Parker and I met up later that afternoon at Atlanta's beautiful Piedmont Park. I thanked him for his hit 'Only You,' and we discussed how collaborating with Biggie and Puffy helped transition 112's sound from R&B to hip-hop. He referred to the city's music scene as a musical buffet. Well, actually, I was the one who used that phrase, but Q agreed that it was a fitting metaphor. We were like two peas in pod, but it was probably a fried pod. We're in Atlanta.

Although Atlanta truly is a hotbed for music of all genres; serves piping hot soul food; and is very hot there most of the time, whatever you do, DO NOT call it "HotLanta." The locals don't dig that expression. Don't get caught up in the nicknames, just dig in on what is important -- it's a main course of hip-hop with a healthy side of rock, pop, and country -- and you'll be in for one of the best musical meals in the country.

 

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]]>112allison hagendorfAllisonHagendorfAtlanta musiciansAtlantaMusiciansBig BoiBigBoiDavid BannerDavidBannerMorgan RoseMorganRoseOutkastQ ParkerQParkerSevendustStankoniaAllison Hagendorf2012-05-16T10:30:00+00:00First Stop: Sleepless in Seattlehttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/#commentsFiled under:

Allison hangs out with Seattle-based trailblazers, and uncovers little known secrets about the city.Allison Hagendorf

Seattle is synonymous with three of my favorite things: grunge, rain and coffee, which somehow complement each other in the most effortlessly cool, moody way. It's the birthplace of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' the anthem of Generation X and the song heard 'round the world ... AND it was the song that changed my world forever.

As one of my favorite cities in the country, I've been here a handful of times to see bands at venues like the Showbox, and yes, I've geeked out in all of my music maven glory at places like the Experience Music Project once or twice ... okay a plethora of times.

But this time I dug a little deeper. I, of course, frequented my favorites like Pike Place and journeyed through a jillion of java joints, but this time I grabbed my galoshes and trekked down the yellow brick road of this "Emerald City" to see the wizards behind this musical renaissance of grunge.

I met up with Sub Pop founder Jonathan Poneman, who took me on a tour of the record label credited with first signing Nirvana and Soundgarden, as well as other amazing bands like the Postal Service, Fleet Foxes, Wolf Parade, Foals and the Shins. It was surreal, indeed.

I also hung out with a Seattle soundtracker, who is best known for his 1992 Grammy Award-winning records. Chris Cornell? Eddie Vedder? Dave Grohl? Nope. In fact, I'm pretty sure this Seattle native never even donned a flannel. I'm talking about the one and only emcee and producer Sir Mix-A-Lot. That's right; the 'Baby Got Back' legend took me for a drive, pointing out all the spots that inspired his hit 'Posse on Broadway.' Of course I went with Mix to 'Dick's' -- let's just say it was one of the best milkshakes of my life.

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-154877% After spending my morning reliving the stories of old school hip-hop with Mix, I spent my afternoon with Seattle native Macklemore, who is currently carrying the hip-hop torch. Fans have played his videos over 20 million times on YouTube; XXL Magazine just included him in the Freshman Class of 2012; and he's selling out venues around the country. You're going to be hearing a lot more from Macklemore (pun intended).

We came, we ate, and learned a lot about the scene in Seattle.

I spent Record Store Day at the iconic Everyday Records talking music with the most diehard music fans there are. Vinyl was flying off shelves. I rest my case.

After exploring the music scene for countless hours, I cashed in my jukebox journey at Seattle staple 13 Coins, which is famous for its 24-hour menu and being THE go-to spot for band eats after a late-night gig. I opted for the crab eggs benedict made with Dungeness crab and the housemade Hollandaise sauce they make every hour. Oh yes, it's Sir Mix-A-Lot's favorite too. We have so much in common.

We came, we ate, and learned a lot about the scene in Seattle. We uncovered sonic secrets like the fact that Jimi Hendrix's first gig was at Seattle's Temple De Hirsch basement. He was also fired mid-performance for his wild playing. Standard. Sir Mix-A-Lot, Macklemore and rabid music fans helped us debunk the myth that Seattle is all about grunge -- hip-hop, folk, and soul also have a strong sonic stamp. Oh, and by the way, it turns out Seattle is actually not that soggy after all. Its annual rainfall is less than that of Houston, Chicago and New York.

Well, rain or shine, Seattle is certainly one of my favorite cities on the planet. It truly does have its own eclectic signature sound.

 

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]]>allison hagendorfAllisonHagendorfJonathan PonemanJonathanPonemanMacklemoreseattle factsseattle grungeSeattleFactsSeattleGrungesir mix a lotSirMixALotsub popSubPopAllison Hagendorf2012-05-07T14:51:00+00:00How They Were Discoveredhttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/#commentsFiled under:


Although they're woven in rock 'n' roll history now, rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and Pearl Jam were once little known musicians trying to catch their big break. Here's how they were discovered.%VIRTUAL-MultiGallery-154265|154346|154267%
Although they're woven in rock 'n' roll history now, rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and Pearl Jam were once little known musicians trying to catch their big break. Here's how they were discovered.

 

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]]>Fleet FoxesFleetFoxesHeartJimi HendrixJimiHendrixNirvanaPearl JamPearlJamAOL Music Editor2012-05-06T00:31:00+00:00Band Name Origin Storieshttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/#commentsFiled under:


Some of Seattle's most recognizable bands have unique names. Find out how fate brought the musicians together, and how they decided on their monikers.%VIRTUAL-MultiGallery-154267|154346|154265%
Some of Seattle's most recognizable bands have unique names. Find out how fate brought the musicians together, and how they decided on their monikers.

 

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]]>Band of HorsesBandOfHorsesCandleboxMudhoneyScreaming TreesScreamingTreesSoundgardenAOL Music Editor2012-05-06T00:23:00+00:00From Grunge to Glamhttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/#commentsFiled under:



See how stars like Stars like Courtney Love, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell went from grunge to glam over the past two decades.%VIRTUAL-MultiGallery-154346|154267|154265%
Stars like Courtney Love, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell have transformed their looks with the times. See how they went from grunge to glam over the past two decades.

 

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]]>billie joe armstrongBillieJoeArmstrongchris cornellChrisCornellcourtney loveCourtneyLovedaniel johnsDanielJohnseddie vedderEddieVeddergreen dayGreenDayholekrist novoselicKristNovoselicnirvanapearl jamPearlJamsilverchairsoundgardenAOL Music Editor2012-05-04T19:13:00+00:00Sevendust's Morgan Rose Talks Atlanta's Eats and Beatshttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/sevendust-morgan-rose-fantasyland-records/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/sevendust-morgan-rose-fantasyland-records/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/sevendust-morgan-rose-fantasyland-records/#commentsFiled under:

Sevendust's Morgan Rose and the owner of Fantasyland Records talk about Atlanta's unique musical offerings.Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose may be one of the founding members of a widely heralded hard rock band, but there's no question in his mind which genre rules his hometown. Bowing down to Atlanta's hip-hop heroes, Rose talks about getting his start in the city's thriving music scene, as well as what has helped put ATL on the musical map.

 

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]]>fantasyland recordsFantasylandRecordsmorgan roseMorganRosesevendustAOL Music Editor2009-05-16T15:36:00+00:00Verified Venueshttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/#commentsFiled under:

In search for a great place to see live music? Look no further. Here's a list of Atlanta's top 10 must-visit venues.%VIRTUAL-MultiGallery-155494|154934|155490|155493|154929|154718%
Atlanta is a great town in which to indulge in live music -- you just need to know where to go. Whether you're into rock, hip-hop, jazz or EDM, here are the top 10 venues in the city, according to Yelp.

 

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]]>Center StageCenterStageEddies AtticEddiesAtticEyedrumFox TheatreFoxTheatreKats CafeKatsCafeTabernacleThe Drunken UnicornThe Goat FarmTheDrunkenUnicornTheGoatFarmVariety PlayhouseVarietyPlayhouseVerizon AmphitheatreVerizonAmphitheatreAOL Music Editor2009-05-15T23:57:00+00:00